Pakistan is a major arms supplier, but until recently this constituted little more than small arms and
ammunition. With the delivery of Talha APCs to the Iraqi armed forces, Al-Zarrar tanks to Bangladesh, trials of the Al-Khalid
MBT and Saad PAC in Saudi Arabia, plus sales of Al-Khalids to Sri Lanka, it appears Pakistan’s aim of securing a larger
slice of the global arms market is slowly bearing fruition. The main thrust of this effort has been undertaken by one company,
Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT). HIT offers the Al-Khalid, Al-Zarrar (upgrade of the early ‘T’ series Russian/Chinese
MBTs), Al-Qawsa logistics vehicle, Sakb command post, Hamza IFV, Saad and Talha APCs, Al-Hadeed combat engineer vehicle, Bakhtar
Shikan AGM equipped Maaz.
Main Battle Tanks
HIT sees much potential for its products in
the Asian and African markets and the main thrust of these export efforts to date have been in this region, and focussed on
the two tanks, the Al-Khalid and the Al-Zarrar. The Al-Zarrar has met with some success in securing Bangladesh as its first
export customer, with other nations expressing an interest. The whole concept behind the upgrade was to provide an affordable
modification package to ensure the Soviet and Chinese early ‘T’ series tanks (Type-59 and Type-69) remained relevant
and could survive against opponents such as the T-72. The Type-59 is by far the most numerous tank available to the Pakistan
Army (PA), with well over 1,000 in service. It was essential therefore that the Al-Zarrar project delivered a tank that was
able to perform to a satisfactory level. As a result of these modifications the mobility, firepower and protection of the
Type-59 has been significantly improved due to the new 730hp engine, transmission and suspension; 125mm gun; plus composite
and ERA package over the hull and turret.
The Al-Zarrar has been very popular with PA crews happy to be receiving a tank significantly better than the old
Type-59. However, in terms of technological capabilities and general performance the Al-Khalid is the most important tank
in PA service. As it appears now it is a result of a continuous evolution process that has been taking place since the early
1990s. The basic design was of the Chinese Type-90II, which is in itself visually similar to the Type-85, but it was modified
to suit the needs of the PA. The main PA considerations for the Al-Khalid were that it should be supportable by indigenous
industry to the fullest extent possible, and also that it would have a high degree of commonality with the existing MBT fleet.
Finances did not exist for a replacement on a one to one basis for the whole fleet with a completely new type, and ways had
to be found with which to keep operational expenditure at manageable levels. The Al-Khalid therefore shares much commonality
with the Type-59/69, Type-85 and commonality of ammunition with the Ukrainian supplied T-80UD. Were it not for these requirements
the Al-Khalid could have been even more advanced and approaching Western standards of tank design. The real reason for this
perhaps lies a decade or so previously when the decision was made by the Chinese army to field tanks along Soviet lines with
a 125mm autoloader similar to its principal opponent at the time, the T-72, rather than a Western tank like the German Leopard-II.
Had the decision been in favour of Western style tanks then the PA would undoubtedly have been looking for a tank design similar
to Western tanks due to Sino-Pakistani defence co-operation. Nevertheless the Al-Khalid is the most advanced MBT available
to the PA. The commander’s independent thermal sight, the gunner’s thermal sights, the indigenous ‘Battle
Management System’, and what HIT officials refer to as the ‘hunter/killer’ ability allowing it to ‘auto-track’
potential targets, combines to make the Al-Khalid a potent platform. It is also equipped with the ‘Varta’ optronic
countermeasure system to increase survivability against electronic threats. With these characteristics, coupled with the excellent
power to weight ratio and high top speed, thanks largely to its powerful Ukrainian engine, the Al-Khalid is a tank that has
attracted considerable interest from foreign officials.
Sri Lanka has been named as the first foreign customer
but exact details of this deal are hard to come by. The deal was made public in the second half of 2006, and it looks like
the Sri Lankan Al-Khalids will be the first to be battle tested, taking into consideration the continuing conflict between
the Sri Lankan government and the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Tigers have a small number of tanks, which the Sri Lankan Al-Khalids
may well come up against. If this is the case, success or otherwise, may well dictate future export orders. Even before the
Sri Lankan order the Saudi government was named as being interested in the Al-Khalid. The Saudi military has been especially
impressed by the Al-Khalid during numerous evaluations as it looks for a replacement for its M60A3 fleet. Ironically it had
shipped over a number of M60A3 MBTs to Pakistan during December 2006 for joint Saudi-Pak military exercises, which pitted
the M60A3 against its potential replacement. However the main sticking point in a Saudi deal is the 125mm gun. HIT had offered
the PA a 120mm version during the extended evaluation and development process in the 1990s, but for sake of commonality with
the rest of the MBT fleet this was not proceeded with. HIT could still deliver a 120mm armed version to the Saudis as this
is perfectly within the capabilities of Pakistani industry. However, the question of supporting the Saudi 120mm armed Al-Khalids
once they have been delivered in this configuration is something which currently uncertain and is holding up a final decision.
These developments aside the Al-Zarrar and Al-Khalid look like they will be the ‘big-ticket’ items that Pakistan
will be able to export in the global arms bazaar.
Armoured Personnel Carriers
HIT has also placed considerable export efforts on its APC projects. These are largely based on the M-113 APC, which
was already in production under license by HIT. HIT cut its teeth with regards APCs on producing the M-113 for the PA. As
with numerous other manufacturers of the M-113, HIT has used the basic design to build a whole range of vehicles for various
uses. Subsequently its most high profile variants are the M-113 and Saad/Talha, upon which its tracked vehicle variants are
based. Though the M-113 is a very old design now, it is tough, reliable, adaptable and still more than capable of carrying
out its basic role as a ‘battle taxi’. HIT had its first export success with the Talha in 2004 when Multi-National
Security Transition Command - Iraq (MNSTC-I), ordered 44 for the fledgling Iraqi Army. Of these 14 were delivered to the 3rd
Division and the rest to the 9th Mechanised Division. It is also in service with the PA.
Outwardly the Talha and the Saad are virtually
identical except for the extra road wheel of the Saad due to its slightly longer hull. There are also differences in the type
of engine selected with German of Ukrainian engines being offered per requirement. The PA therefore has two types of the same
APC upon which to base specialist variants. The Sakb is a mobile command post based on the Talha, and equipped to allow commanders
a wider view of the of the battlefield and keep abreast of operational developments. This includes customised racks for C4I
equipment, a ‘Battle Management System’, and an auxiliary power unit. The Al-Qawsa is a logistics vehicle based
on the M-113, with the hull aft of the crew compartment cut down to enable a large amount of munitions or other such items
to be carried. This vehicle is of increasing importance as the PA seeks to boost its armoured capabilities in the ‘manoeuvre
friendly’ desert region away from the difficult terrain of the Punjab with its numerous irrigation canals and cultivated
fields. Desert warfare entails a larger ‘tail’ in terms of logistics support necessitating increased amounts of
supplies such as fuel and water. The Al-Qawsa can easily carry the rubberised liquid containers offered by the Military Vehicles
Research & Development Establishment (MVRDE) in this guise. It can also be adapted for numerous alternative uses such
as an ambulance, SAM carrier of almost anything that may be required of it. Al-Hadeed is an ARV/engineering platform based
on the Saad and equipped with a crane for field replacement of an APC power pack or other such battlefield repair or recovery
functions. Maaz is based on the Talha hull and equipped with the indigenously manufactured Bakhtar Shikan ATGM in a similar
fashion to other M-113 variants equipped to fire the TOW or HOT ATGMS. There is space inside for up to eight reloads. The
firing unit is elevated and retracted through the roof for firing and reloading. In a similar fashion it can also be equipped
with the indigenously produced Anza-I/II, or Swedish RBS-70 MANPADS for local air defence.
These are all in service with the PA and offered
for export by HIT. One significant variant, which is not in service with the PA, but was developed for export is the M-113
based Al-Hamza IFV. Equipped with a Chinese supplied 25mm armed unmanned turret with co-axial 7.62mm, the Al-Hamza does not
fit into current PA operational doctrine. The PA believes that the role of a troop carrying tracked vehicle is to be a ‘battle
taxi’ to deliver troops to where the fight is and not be involved in any serious fighting themselves as an IFV would.
The Al-Hamza turret is not currently produced by HIT but is a component that can be integrated with the hull of the M-113
if the customer so requires.
Approximately 250 Talha APCs are said to have been delivered to the PA up until 2006 but it is uncertain if these
were for APC use of perhaps more likely, used for more specialist roles as detailed above. For its main indigenous APC requirements
the PA seems to be relying on the Saad. Saad is the most effective and modern APC used by the PA. It is fitted with a German
MTU engine and has a high power to weight ratio and top speed, allowing it to keep pace with the faster Al-Khalid and T-80UD
tanks that form the ‘mailed fist’ of the PA MBT fleet better than the M-113. It is also equipped with six firing
ports to allow the occupants to return fire as well as a mount for a 12.7mm HMG that is standard on all PA and HIT produced
AFVs. The Saudis were once again a potential buyer that was interested in placing a large order with HIT for the Saad, but
the deal has not yet materialised. The sticking points of the Al-Khalid deal may well be holding up a Saudi order, even though
considerable satisfaction has been expressed with the Saad in its basic ‘battle taxi’ role. Negotiations with
the Saudis are ongoing but are not expected to bear fruit for some time, despite the close relationship between the two nations.
The Sri Lankans are also said to be interested in a deal for either the Saad or Talha APCs, but at the present moment in time
the Al-Khalid deal is taking precedence.
Continuing
Efforts
In the meantime HIT continues
in its efforts to export its range of AFVs to customers in Asia and Africa. There is continuing interest from these countries
in HIT’s products due to the blend of affordability, and reliability of supply of quality products, which are deemed
as being suited to the financial and operational environment of these countries. If these efforts bear fruit then Pakistan
will have achieved another step in its aim of securing a larger share of the global arms bazaar.
An edited version of the above article appeared in the July 2007 issue of Military
Machines International.
